MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Sep 27, 2012) - (Family Features) When it comes to tackling household responsibilities, home cooks have a few tricks up their sleeves. Organization and planning can help free up time for family activities each evening; and while takeout is always an option, over time you can quickly run through the family budget on last-minute foods.

Plan Ahead
One evening each week, wash, slice and dice all vegetables and meats, then store them in air-tight containers grouped by meal in the refrigerator or freezer. For example, you can prep your vegetables and protein for stir fry on Monday, lasagna on Tuesday, stew on Wednesday, etc.

Pick Your Menu
Another way to plan in advance is to know exactly what you'll make each night of the week. In this way, you can ensure you have all the ingredients you need to prep dinner each night.

Choose Easy Recipes and Cooking Methods
Just because a recipe only calls for a few ingredients doesn't mean it can't be wholesome and flavorful. Look for dishes that boast mouth-watering ingredients. You may also want to try a method of cooking that takes a lot of the work of food prep off your hands. For example, food lovers can rejoice -- cooking flavorful meals at home just got a whole lot simpler with kitchen appliances such as the AquaChef Water Oven, which makes it easy and affordable to serve delicious and flavorful recipes like this Simple Lemon-Herb Salmon.

Ideal for home cooks of any skill level, the AquaChef is one of the most versatile compact kitchen appliances available. By cooking food in a temperature-controlled water bath, heat transfers better than in traditional ovens, resulting in food that is evenly cooked all the way through. Plus, since food is cooked in a vacuum-sealed bag, the natural flavors, nutrients and moisture are locked in for healthy dishes free of added fats.

Just three simple steps ensure foolproof results for this salmon recipe:

• Seal: Vacuum seal salmon, lemon and dill in bag.
• Set: Select required end temperature, and place bag in the water.
• Serve: Remove perfectly cooked salmon from bag and serve.

This simple yet impressive salmon is ideal for dinner parties, holidays, or even to surprise the family with a special weeknight meal. Simply seal, set and serve.

For more recipe ideas and product information, or to order the AquaChef, visit: www.aquachefsalmon.com.

Simple Lemon-Herb Salmon
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4
1		salmon fillet (about 1 pound)
		Salt
		Pepper
1		lemon, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
		Dill sprigs

Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the AquaChef
Remove basket. Add water to reach maximum fill line. Plug in appliance; turn on. Set temperature to 126°F and press start button to preheat water. Water will be preheated when indicator light changes from red to blue.

Step 2: Prepare the Salmon
Salt and pepper salmon to taste on both sides. Arrange lemon slices and 2 to 3 dill sprigs on flesh side of fillet. Place fillet in vacuum seal bag, skin side down. Seal bag; vacuum out as much air as possible.

Step 3: Cooking
When water is preheated, set cook time to 45 minutes. Place vacuum-sealed salmon in cooking basket and lower it carefully into water; cover. When appliance beeps, carefully remove basket (it will be hot). Remove salmon from bag; serve immediately.

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
This and other food and lifestyle content can be found at www.editors.familyfeatures.com. Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for use in print and online publications. Register with no obligation to access a variety of formatted and unformatted features, accompanying photos, and automatically updating Web content solutions.